Bogus gas company rep attacks Northolt woman

Watch out for this man

The victim was at home with her three-year-old daughter when she responded to a knock at the front door.

She opened the door and was met by a black man, who identified himself as a representative from the gas company and asked to enter the address to check the meter. The victim asked the suspect for some identification. The suspect then showed the victim some form of ID and she let him in. Police are unsure what form of ID the suspect produced.

He is described as a black male, aged between 30 to 40 years old, 6ft - 6ft 3in tall, has a fat round shaped face, broad shoulders, is of athletic build and has a London accent. He has single gold fillings/caps on both sides of his lower back teeth. He was wearing a dirty long sleeved zip up style, yellow fluorescent thigh length jacket, with reflective strips, a pair of dark trousers and a black woollen hat. He was carrying a black handled torch and a wooden clipboard, which had papers and documents attached. The clipboard also had a standard yellow Bic style pen attached to a piece of string running from the clipboard. 

The victim allowed the suspect inside and pointed him in the direction of the cupboard under the stairs, where the gas meter is. Shortly after checking the meter the suspect physically attacked the victim.

The suspect pushed her to the ground, causing her to hit her head against the fireplace. He then attempted to pin her to the floor and at some point during the attack he has put a black handled Stanley knife to the victim's throat. During the struggle with the suspect the victim bit the suspect on the left forearm. She did not break the skin but believes she will have left him with some teeth marks or bruising.

A short time after being bitten the suspect fled the victim's home, making off in a small white Ford Escort style van last seen heading towards Church Road, Northolt, Middlesex.

We do not have any indication of the vehicle registration mark.

The vehicle does not have any logos or advertising printed on it.

The victim's two children a three-month old baby and a three-year-old child were both present in the house throughout the attack but were unharmed.

·       Did you see this male in the area around the time of the offence?
·       Have you seen him at any time in the area prior to the incident?
·       Have you seen him in the area since the incident took place?
·       Do you know him?

Ealing Police would ask anyone with any information or who may recognise the suspect, or who knows the whereabouts of his vehicle to contact them at Southall Police Station on telephone number 020-8246-1139 or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detective Sergeant Mark Maberbly, Ealing Borough Police stated , "We would urge members of the public not to approach this male as he may still be armed and to contact police straight away via 999. We are treating this incident very seriously and are anxious to trace the offender. This was a particulary shocking incident and we would ask members of the public to be espically vigiliant as this individual poses a threat to lone females. I would urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may appear, to contact us."

February 16, 2005